Philosophy

The curriculum of the Department of Nursing is derived from the program’s mission, purpose, objectives and organizing framework. The philosophy describes the faculty’s beliefs concerning the purpose of nursing, the focus of baccalaureate nursing education, and the expectations for program graduates.

The philosophy of the Department of Nursing states that:

The faculty of the Department of Nursing at the State University of New York College at Brockport believe that education is a lifelong process which fosters the cultural, psychosocial and intellectual development of the individual. Faculty fully support the Mission of the College, recognizing that students bring to the educational setting a diversity of abilities, motivations, experiences and cultures. Accordingly, opportunities are provided, which allow each individual to build on past knowledge and experience and to develop within the educational philosophy of the State University of New York.

Nursing is a profession, science and art with the primary purpose of facilitating clients (individuals, families and communities) to retain, attain and maintain an optimal level of wellness through purposeful interventions. The faculty believe that clients are a composite of physiological, psychological, developmental, sociocultural and spiritual dimensions. Professional nurses utilize the nursing process to manage care of clients throughout the life cycle. Nurses work independently and in collaboration with other health ­professionals.

Nursing education utilizes knowledge drawn from nursing, the liberal arts, sciences and humanities. Nursing curricula emphasize the development of concepts and skills that are ­essential to nursing practice, leadership and research, and foster the development of critical thinking. Students are active, responsible participants in the learning process.

The faculty believe that baccalaureate education serves as the foundation for graduate study and continuing professional and personal growth.

Baccalaureate Nursing Program

Nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging health care professions. The baccalaureate nursing program at SUNY Brockport prepares a generalist professional practitioner to utilize the nursing process and interpersonal skills in providing health care to clients, families and groups of all ages in any setting. The program also prepares the graduate to interpret and promote professional nursing and to accept responsibility for personal and professional growth.

The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education and the New York State Department of Education. The College is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The program is designed to help students become scientifically and humanistically prepared professional nurses, and to provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing.

Beginning practitioners are most frequently employed in either hospital or community settings. Hospitals offer challenging opportunities for the baccalaureate graduate as do long-term health care facilities. In the community, nurses are employed by public health departments, health maintenance organizations, outpatient clinics, voluntary health organizations and hospices. Increasingly, nurses have opportunities to participate in entrepreneurial endeavors as independent health care providers. The armed services also offer excellent career opportunities for graduates.

The nursing curriculum involves classroom, field and clinical experience in nursing theory and practice. The curriculum uses a variety of teaching modalities. Students are expected to assume an active role in the learning process and are responsible for achieving learning outcomes. The focus on learner responsibility lays the foundation for the graduate’s assuming accountability for professional practice and continued individual growth.

Achievement of a grade of 75 or better in all nursing courses is required for continued progress through the nursing program. Successful completion of the following courses is required for graduation:

Curriculum and program requirements are subject to change as necessary. Students should consult department faculty for current information.

Clinical experiences provide students with an opportunity to apply theory in the following areas of nursing: adult health, mental health, child health, maternal health, critical care, and community health. Clinical experiences involve either day or evening hours, depending on the agency and the specialty area. Students need to keep Tuesdays and Thursdays free of all other commitments.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students must complete all nursing course requirements, and achieve and maintain a cumulative grade of 75 in each nursing course. Students are also responsible for meeting the General Education requirements of the College. All degree requirements must be completed within five years after beginning the clinical component of the major.

Admission to the Program

Admission policies provide an opportunity for a baccalaureate education in nursing to qualified students in each of three groups: 1) students enrolled in this College, 2) transfer students from other colleges and universities, and 3) registered nurses. The Department of Nursing is limited in the number of students it can accept for clinical placement. Affiliating agencies require strict faculty-student ratios. Admission criteria are subject to change and extenuating circumstances require departmental review of written requests. Consult the Department of Nursing for current information.

Minimum Criteria for Admission:

1) a cumulative college grade point average of 2.75 by the end of fall semester of sophomore year;

3) current CPR (Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer) certification through the American Red Cross or Health Provider course through the Heart Association);

4) satisfactory references, personal statement and health form.

5) completion of an application to the Department of Nursing by the third Wednesday of the month of January of the applicant’s sophomore year and acceptance by SUNY Brockport. (Please note, these are two separate applications.);

6) achievement of a “C” or better in all nursing prerequisites with no more than one of these courses repeated; and

7) completion of all but two prerequisites by May of the year the student plans to start the nursing program. Maximum prerequisite courses to be taken in the summer is two.

SUNY Brockport Students - Freshmen

Admission to nursing is competitive. There is no guarantee of admission to the nursing program. There is a separate application process for nursing and this must be submitted no later than the third Wednesday of the month of January of the applicant’s sophomore year. Students must have a 2.75 GPA by the end of the fall semester of their sophomore year to be considered for admission to the nursing program and maintain this average as they continue to complete their course work.

To document successful completion of these criteria, students should file an application with the Department of Nursing by the third Wednesday of the month of January of their sophomore year. These students’ forms will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee early in the spring semester and students will then be notified about acceptance into the nursing program.

Transfers

Students transferring into the College should apply directly to the Department of Nursing for admission to the nursing program. Consideration of admission is contingent upon acceptance to the College by the third Wednesday of the month of January and completion of the criteria listed above. Acceptance is on a space-available basis. There is no guarantee of admission to the nursing program.

Registered Nurses

Registered nurses also should apply directly to the Department of Nursing for admission to the nursing program. Admission is on a space-available basis. RN students should note that a maximum of 64 credits may be transferred from the associate’s degree level.

For further information concerning opportunities for transfer credit and credit by exam, contact the Department of Nursing.

Currently, a new Fast-Track RN-BSN program has been developed and is at the approval phase. Please consult the Department of Nursing Web site for the latest information

Required Prerequisite Courses

All students must complete the following courses (or their equivalent prior to admission to the program:

Credits

Anatomy and Physiology I, II

6–8

Microbiology

4

Chemistry (not a preparatory course)

4

Nutrition

3

Statistics

3

Sociology

3

Psychology

3

Development Assessment or Psychology (must cover entire lifespan from birth to death)

3

______

Total:

29–31

Prerequisite and corequisite requirements may undergo change. Contact the Department of Nursing for current information.

Student Health Requirements

Because of the special demands of the nursing program and the need to protect patients and students, junior and senior students in the nursing program are required to have a physical examination and prescribed lab tests prior to the start of the school year. The health form may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the Department of Nursing. A current, complete health form including the prescribed lab tests must be on file in the Department of Nursing by the date specified in the admission letter in order for the student to participate in clinical learning experiences. Nursing students are required to discuss with their nursing faculty advisors any health factors that may affect their capacity to perform as professional nurses. (Note: New York State Department of Health and individual health care agencies require additional protective measures prior to caring for patients. Presently, health care agencies require a positive rubella titer, a tine test or PPD, and Hepatitis B vaccination or its declination.)

Transportation

The majority of the clinical facilities are located in Rochester, 16 miles east of the SUNY Brockport campus. Transportation to and from clinical sites is the student’s responsibility.

Uniforms

Uniforms must be purchased before the beginning of the junior year. Students accepted into the program are advised concerning arrangements for fittings and costs.

Requirements for RN Licensure

Graduates of this nursing program meet the education requirements for admittance to the RN licensure exam; however, there is a requirement that the applicant be of “good moral character,” and a fee must be paid for the test. On the application for the test, the applicant is required to truthfully answer the following questions:

• Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or country?

• Are charges pending against you for a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or ­country?

• Have you ever been found guilty of professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct or negligence in any state or country?

• Are charges pending against you for professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct or negligence in any state or country?

If the answer to any of the questions is yes, the applicant must offer full explanation and establish his/her good moral character with the State Education Department.

Any student charged with or convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) before or after admittance to the nursing major must discuss their situation individually (and confidentially) with the chair of the Department of Nursing to assess the impact of this on the student’s eventual ability to be licensed as a RN. The chair will assist the student in the proper procedure to report their situation to the New York State Department of Education. The Department of Nursing takes no responsibility for lack of employability of program graduates.

In addition, some clinical agencies affiliated with the Department of Nursing may require background checks on nursing students before allowing them to participate in clinical activities. Agency requirements concerning the results of background checks are not under the control of the Department of Nursing and may be subject to change without notice.

If the result of a background check blocks a student from participation at certain clinical sites, the student may be unable to successfully complete clinical course requirements of the Department of Nursing. Inability to successfully complete the clinical course requirements will result in failure of the clinical course and requires dismissal from the nursing program.

Nursing Courses

NUR 321 Introduction to Pharmacology (A).
Presents drugs used therapeutically and their mechanisms of actions. Emphasizes classes of drugs, the major drugs in each class, and how they are used to promote client stability. Considers important side effects and drug interactions relevant to the role of the nurse in client care.
2 Cr.Spring

NUR 329 Nursing: A Systems Approach (B).
Examines the four major concepts of the Neuman Systems Model: health, environment, client, and nursing. Focuses on defining and promoting client health, recognizing that clients may be communities, families, or individuals. Discusses aspects of therapeutic communication, the development of nurse-client relationships, spirituality, culture and ethnicity, values and ethics and professional issues in nursing. Open to pre-nursing sophomores with faculty permission only.
2 Cr.Fall

NUR 342 Foundations for Professional Practice for Nursing (B).Corequisite: NUR 343 must be taken concurrently.
Presents both the skills and theoretical basis for professional practice in nursing with an emphasis on a systems approach. Introduces the components and use of the nursing process and basic nursing techniques.
3 Cr.Fall

NUR 343 Foundations for Professional Practice for Nursing Clinical (B).Corequisite: NUR 342 must be taken concurrently.
Course fee. Presents both the skills and theoretical basis for professional practice in nursing with an emphasis on a systems approach. Introduces the components and use of the nursing process and basic nursing techniques.
1 Cr.Fall

NUR 344 Health Assessment (B).Corequisite: NUR 345 must be taken concurrently.
Bridges the gap between the basic sciences and their application in assessing the client. Includes history taking and systematic assessment of the person.
1 Cr.Fall

NUR 346 Adult Response to Health Stressors I (B).Corequisite: NUR 347 must be taken concurrently.
Examines the response of adult clients to stressors affecting essential body systems. The course emphasizes primary and secondary preventions for clients experiencing major health problems in the US today.
2 Cr.Fall

NUR 347 Adult Response to Health Stressors I Clinical (B).Corequisite: NUR 346 must be taken concurrently.
Course fee. Application of the nursing process in a clinical setting to assist clients in strengthening their flexible lines of defense and to diminish the impact of stressors on core stability.
2 Cr.Fall

NUR 348 Childbearing Family and Womenís Health (B).Corequisite: NUR 349 must be taken concurrently.
Examines the responses of families to expected and high-risk obstetrical and neonatal stressors, and complications that occur during the prenatal, intrapartum and post-partum periods. Also examines stressors inherent in womenís health care such as gynecological health concerns.
3 Cr.Spring

NUR 349 Childbearing Family and Womenís Health Clinical (B).Corequisite: NUR 348 must be taken concurrently.
Course fees. Utilizes the nursing process and provides an opportunity for implementation of nursing care in a variety of obstetrical and womenís health care clinical settings.
3 Cr.Spring

NUR 380 Issues in Womenís and Menís Health (A, I, D, W).Cross-listed as WMS 380.
Examines various perspectives and issues related to the health care of women and men across the lifespan. Past and present historical, biological, psychosocial, political, cultural, religious, ethical, moral and legal issues affecting health care will be investigated. Developments an awareness about the roles men and women play in health and healing; providing a framework for appropriate decision making on health care issues, and exploring preventative and holistic health care. Topics include sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, birth control methods, rape, violence in the family, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, reproductive technology, pregnancy, healthy aging, health promotion, and interacting with the medical system. Includes discussion of relevant biological, sociological, psychological, cultural, religious, ethical, moral and legal factors that influence them.
3 Cr.

NUR 440 Psychiatric - Mental Health Nursing (B).Corequisite: NUR 441 must be taken concurrently.
Examines the use of the nursing process in situations that require complex interpersonal skills. Focuses on the use of these skills in promoting the ability of clients to respond to stressors. Includes the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary interventions with clients who are experiencing violence, sexual dysfunction, crisis, and the major mental illnesses.
3 Cr.Every Semester

NUR 444 Community Health Nursing (B).Corequisite: NUR 445 must be taken concurrently.
Examines the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary preventions within the home health care and public health domain. Utilizes the nursing process to promote optimal client stability.
2 Cr.Every Semester

NUR 445 Community Health Nursing Clinical (B).Corequisite: NUR 444 must be taken concurrently.
Course fee. Provides an opportunity for implementation of the nursing process in home and community settings.
2 Cr.Every Semester

NUR 446 Child and Adolescent Responses to Health Stressors (B).Corequisite: NUR 447 must be taken concurrently.
Examines the multiple stressors in the critically and chronically ill child and adolescent and their effects on the child, family and community. Examines the nursing process to promote optimal stability.
3 Cr.Every Semester

NUR 451 Contemporary Issues in Nursing Leadership and Management (A,I,W).
Examines leadership and management in nursing and involvement of this role in contemporary issues in nursing. Topics include: leadership and management roles, power in nursing, career choices, legal and ethical issues in nursing, controversial topics in health care, nursing educational issues, politics and gender.
3 Cr.Every Semester

NUR 471 Community Based Epidemiology (B).
Explores the various roles filled by community health nurses and the public health system. Entry- level epidemiology will be applied to appropriate clinical settings. Offers opportunities to develop public health awareness in an area of individual interest. Includes multiple independent learning projects.
3 Cr.Fall

NUR 472 Community Based Epidemiology Clinical (A).Corequisite: NUR 471.
Provides the RN-BSN student with clinical experiences in a variety of community settings.
2 Cr.Fall

NUR 473 Nursing Seminar I (B).
Examines the role of the baccalaureate educated RN and promotes professional development. Beginning skills to produce a final project related to clinical practice will be developed. Professional presentation and communication skills will be explored.
4 Cr.Fall

NUR 475 Nursing Seminar II (B).
Explore professional development of the baccalaureate prepared nurse in depth. A professional portfolio will be completed, along with a final evidence-based practice project related to clinical practice.
2 Cr.Every Spring

NUR 478 Problem Solving in Nursing (B).
Focuses on problem solving and decision making in nursing. Emphasizes synthesis of knowledge as it applies to the care of clients with multiple needs. Examines test-taking skills, relaxation and stress management techniques. Every semester, repeatable for two credits.
1 Cr.Spring and 1 Cr. Fall

NUR 495 Senior Nursing Seminar (B).Prerequisites: NUR 341; both NUR 464 (may be taken concurrently), NUR 467 (may be taken concurrently).
Concentrated clinical course that includes 128 hours with an experienced RN from a local hospital or agency. This course provides the student with the opportunity to choose a select setting of their interest in order to further develop their clinical experience and assist in the transition to professional practice.
3 Cr.Every Semester

The information in this publication was current as of June 2007 when the text was compiled. Changes, including but not restricted to, tuition
and fees, course descriptions, degree and program requirements, policies, and
financial aid availability may have occurred since that time. Whether or not a
specific course is scheduled for a given term is contingent on enrollment, budget
and staffing. The college reserves the right to make any changes it finds necessary
and may announce such changes for student notification in publications other than
the College catalogs. For the purpose of degree and program completion, students
are bound by the requirements in effect as stated in the printed catalog at the
time of their matriculation at SUNY Brockport. Inquiries on the current status
of requirements can be addressed to the appropriate College department of office.
Also refer to the Brockport Web site home page at www.brockport.edu for current
information.